REAL TO MINI

How my brain works

Lots of people have said they enjoyed seeing the pics of my REAL LIFE SIZE to MINIATURE inspirations, so I went through my files and found some more to show you. I often have said that I get inspiration from LIFE... a book, a movie, fashion, etc. Now, with Pinterest [my new obsession] I found some pics of Real Life size items that I have seen in museums and in my travels that I can show how I translated them to Miniatures.

I'm super excited to show you these.

I suppose it is because I studied Fine Art in college that my eye is trained to look at details. I can find the most obscure "thing" in a photograph that sparks an idea for an entire collection.....It can be as subtle as a pleat, color palette, or overt, as in an actual furniture piece. The trick is to look closely...I do this so automatically and very quickly. We all do this... our brains are always taking dictation... the trick is to pull it from memory when you need it.

Let me show you some ideas and how my brain works.....

The Color

Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette

Immediately your eye goes to the center pink dress. BUT look closely to the dress on the left. I love the color combinations and pleating. Soft Flesh/Blush Rose, with a deeper Peach, and BRIGHT PINK. Just the color combination alone is breath taking and to be honest would have never thought of it. This palette could be used in any Mini room....I'm thinking for a babies room?

by the neutral sand color of the stone wall...you see?...I'm not just looking at the focal point. I'm looking at the whole palette. Simply blocks of color next to each other.

Treatments

I also look at couture fashion and period fashion references for print designs, pleating and draping ideas that can be used on a chair trim, Bed skirt, Canopy, or Throw blanket.

Magnificent pleating with fabric billowing for a bed canopy or bed curtain

In the Movie, Marie Antoinette's champagne color wedding dress had the most gorgeous trims. Literally I pause the movie, go frame by frame to look at a particular detail. The trim fabric was pleated, sewn down the center and the edges were slightly frayed. I used that technique for the edging of this silk organza bed throw, and silk taffeta canopy crown.

The sherbert color palettes used in this entire film to portray "youth" is INCREDIBLE and not the usual "patina" used in period films. The older generations of royalty are portrayed in Very deep dark rich tones in palettes emerald greens, black reds etc. The foods and floral arrangements are pieces of art on their own. If you love Minis, no matter your taste, or your favorite period style, this movie is a MUST HAVE

This appears to be a folding screen. I just love the design and I currently have this on my work table. I am painting this motif on silk for 2 chairs that will be a part of the Vintage Vineyards Collection.

I'm taking pictures as I work on these pieces to show you how I am painting this in my Next Blog...so stay tuned.

Big Shot ~ Little Shot

Here are some actual pics I used for some inspirations

REAL LIFE Paris Apartment

MINIATURE: Paris Apartment

LIFE SIZE: Frick Collection Chair

MINIATURE: Frick Collection Chair painted on China Silk

LIFE SIZE: Queen Sophia's Bedroom

MINIATURE: Queen Sophia Chairs. Painted silk taffeta

LIFE SIZE: Canvas Canopy Daybed

MINIATURE: Canvas Canopy Settee

LIFE SIZE: Bright Fuchsia Rococo Chest

MINIATURE: Fuchsia Chest

Sometimes with photo inspirations I combine ideas. With the pieces below I loved the yellow pleated fabric doors with hanging picture frames and I also loved the grisaille [tones of grey] painted chest. I simply combined the two ideas.

LIFE SIZE

LIFE SIZE: Grisaille Chest

MINIATURE

LIFE SIZE: French Country Couch

MINIATURE: French Country Couch. Painted fluffy silk pillows

LIFE SIZE: Zuber Print wall cover

MINIATURE: Zuber Print on Chaise... why not?

LIFE SIZE: Black Bed with floral painted head board and crisp white linens

MINIATURE: With a punch more color, oil painted head board

I hope you enjoyed seeing how sometimes the Life Size inspirations can change or be translated to better fit a proportion or color scheme. The secret to all things is to dive right in, experiment and don't be afraid to "fail" because there is really no such thing. The ABSOLUTE truth is, I've learned more, and have had more successes through my "failures" than you can possibly imagine. Play a bit ....sometimes it works and sometimes it needs to be Re-worked but in the process you come up with your own interpretations which also leads to more ideas.... and when those ideas are simply flowing it is the BEST feeling.

I really enjoyed getting an insight into how to capture colors and moods.I have previously owned a shop where I sold handicrafts and textiles, and I can recognize the joy I get when a color, or a vase for example, can be the breeding ground for a wonderful exhibition.And you're a great artist :-)I hope this is understandable, because my English is a little rusty.Best wishes for a good dayMarianne.

Thank You so much... You are so talented and I love your work. I did not realize you had a blog which I will try to figure out how to follow. I am still new at blogging ... you blog is so beautiful and the colors a delight. BIG Hugs to you <3

Oh my gosh, that was a GREAT blog post lady :-) Seriously. I really loved seeing how you think about things.Your eye for design and fashion is amazing and its super cool to get a peek into how you work-cute pic by the way!!!! It has inspired me to look at DIFFERENT kinds of photos and look at them in a whole new light :-) Thats pretty exciting!! Unexpected inspiration is often the best kind if not the only, so Im really glad I read your blog tonight :-D Big ol' hug-a-roonies to you!! <3

Thank you so much, Maritza, for taking the time to teach all about colour adaptation! I enjoyed it so much and I have benefited greatly from this. I love your work so much and I dream of one day owning one of your pieces!

Hi, MaritzaThanks for showing your work and sharing your thoughts about colors. I guess I work similarily to you, seeing pictures in magazines, on blogs and on pinterest, and then I want to make everything in miniature, to express it simply. My style is the french-nordic. My mind is allways set on "shrinking" (from 1:12) and on "which element is this item really made of" ;-) Actually is has been my mindset for more than 25 years...I show my work on http://petitbrocante.blogspot.com - and you will find links to the Facebook group and to my Etsy-shop.

Thank You Susanne .... I think my mind shrunk LOL. Thank you for your links I LOVE LOVE French-nordic style. We miniatures people think so much a like and it is my joy to see how others work. Thank you again dearest Susanne. <3

My friend Dale recommended your work to me and I'm so glad she did. What a wonderful post this is- it makes me want to go to my art room and create! I love reading about how you are inspired and what your thoughts are as you look at each picture- sometimes we forget to actually see things- what a great reminder this is to open my eyes! I look forward to following your blog and your incredible work :)